THE battle of the supermarkets in Elland is not yet over.

Councillors last night were minded to permit the Morrisons development, but it has been referred to the Secretary of State for approval.

But they deferred the Asda application at the request of the company, which submitted last minute alterations to their Highways plans for the site off Dewsbury Road.

In one of the best-attended planning meetings held by Calderdale Council, almost 500 people packed a room at The Shay Stadium to hear the plans at the metting which went on until 10pm.

One Elland resident, Sandra Smith, called on councillors to bring the "ten year saga to an end once and for all" and added the council had a "once in a lifetime opportunity to develop the town centre."

The meeting saw majority support for the Morrisons application, with residents holding signs saying "For Elland" and "Yes to Morrisons", waving Morrisons flags and wearing T-shirts and baseball-style caps promoting the supermarket.

Mark Finch, of Asda, spoke in opposition of the Morrisons application. He said of the Morrisons plans: "The officers recommendation (for refusal) we believe is conclusive and should be supported. It fails to comply with national planning guidance."

He was booed by the public audience.

Clr David Hardy, Elland Lib Dem, reminded him planning officers recommended refusal for both supermarkets.

But they backed the Morrisons development, with Clr Ruth Goldthorpe saying it was "ludicrous" that jobs would go with one development (Asda) but remain with the other (Morrisons).